The end for Seshadri, 79, came at Keshava Krupa, the RSS state headquarters in Bangalore on Sunday evening, Dr Nagaratna, who attended on Seshadri, told PTI.

She said he died of multiple organ failure due to septicaemia, an infection which spreads to all organs of the body.

Seshadri breathed his last 45 minutes after the life support systems were withdrawn at the private hospital where he was admitted early in August, Dr Nagaratna said.

Seshadri was on life-support systems in the hospital for the last few days.

"Life-support systems were withdrawn on Sunday evening as doctors said there were no hopes of him surviving," a senior RSS leader said.

Seshadri joined RSS in 1946 and rose through the ranks to become its Sarkaryavah (All India General Secretary) in 1987, a post he held for nine years. Thereafter, he was working as Akhil Bharath prachrak (full-time worker) pramukh.

His mortal remains lay in state at Keshava Krupa where a steady stream of mourners paid their last respects.

RSS chief K S Sudarshan, RSS general secretary Mohan Bhagawat and top BJP leaders, including former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Lal Kishenchand Advani are expected to pay their homage to the departed RSS leader on Monday.